Amtrak asks for proposals to rebuild or replace as many as 75 locomotives

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WASHINGTON — Amtrak officials say they're looking to replace or upgrade as many as 75 locomotives and have deals in place this year.

Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson says the passenger railroad issued a request for proposals June 1 with an eye to having the latest safety features and the lowest emissions possible.

"Our diesel locomotive fleet is nearing the end of life expectancy and we must act now to modernize Amtrak for the future,” Anderson says in a news release. “We expect that any new, state-of-the art locomotive will offer improved reliability, a smoother ride, improved safety features and make major contributions towards lowering emissions and we’ll also consider how rebuilding options of the current fleet could achieve these goals.”